Three Bathroom Makeovers; One Big Reveal

When our long-time clients invited us back to re-envision a trio of outdated bathrooms within their Arlington Colonial, we happily accepted the challenge. Our approach: combine a fresh take on traditional style with key functional upgrades. Previously, we shared the inside scoop on the design phase and renovation process for these spaces. Now, we’re revealing the final bathroom makeovers.

Hall Bathroom Remodel

In the world of design, small changes can make a huge difference. And that was certainly the case in this reimagined upstairs-hall bathroom.

While the basic layout stayed the same, we increased the functionality by specifying a vanity that’s lengthier than its predecessor. The stunning, double-sink selection fits the space better and provides some much-needed elbow room and storage. Plus, its mottled, painted finish adds tons of visual warmth to the space, as does the neutral paint color (Vessel by Sherwin Williams) that we chose for the walls.

Three Visual Comfort sconces in a polished-nickel finish and two lighted mirrors hang above the vanity.

The hexagon mosaic backsplash from Lunada Bay Tile is the jewelry that completes the ensemble and pairs beautifully with the vanity’s marble countertop.

We repeated that shimmery, opaque-glass tile in the shower, where it lines a new, practical-and-pretty niche.

For added interest, we married two different tiles — a large-format marble and an iridescent, elongated subway — in our shower design.

A new, marble-topped shower bench further ups the function ante. Adding a bench is an easy upgrade option in most bathroom remodels.

I think we all deserve to start and end the day in a thoughtfully designed space, such as this one.

Guest Bathroom Makeover

Like the hall space, the en-suite guest bathroom was showing its age. Now it’s an updated-traditional space that’s sure to make guests feel pampered.

We kept the existing tub, but elevated the area with white subway tile, which we installed vertically –turning the classic choice on its head for an unexpected touch.

New plumbing fixtures from Kohler (the brand we turned to for all three bathrooms) elevate the shower experience.

And the new shower niche — accented with a Zig & Zag glass beauty from Lunada Bay Tile — certainly doesn’t hurt either!

To create a cohesive space, we often repeat an accent material, such as this herringbone tile. Here, the niche tile reappears as the vanity backsplash (an approach we adopted in all three bathrooms actually).

The watery shades of blue and green lend a calm, spa-like vibe to this en-suite guest bathroom.

Lower-Level Bathroom Overhaul

The lower-level space required a somewhat larger intervention. But the final result is worth it!

For starters, we closed off two superfluous doorways to create more workable space and enhance privacy. A lengthy, double-sink vanity, in a dark-wood finish, offers plenty of space for sharing.

It’s topped with a stain-resistant, marble-like quartz, honoring the homeowners’ request for easy-to-clean materials.

The real magic happened in the shower zone, though. To refresh your memory, we started with this…

And transformed it into this…

Replacing the side wall with a glass-topped knee wall really opened up the space. And we were able to negotiate a shower bench in the bargain. Flipping the plumbing fixtures to the other end was a small price to pay given all we gained.

Aesthetically, we aimed to take the lower-level bathroom in a slightly more masculine direction. These iridescent, picket-style tiles from Lunada Bay Tile, which line two shower walls, go a long way.

The mosaic bar tile adorning the niche pairs perfectly with the pickets’ blue-gray hue.

Check out this gorgeous shower floor — which boasts a shimmering tile from the same family as the niche selection, although this time in a square mosaic.

To my mind, this mesmerizing tile brings thoughts of the deep-blue sea and far-away locales. Instilling a sense of escape at home is never a bad idea.

We could not have accomplished these three bathroom makeovers without the help of our amazing renovation contractor, AshMeg, Inc. A beautiful and functional bathroom can improve the way your house lives and your quality of life. If any of your bathrooms are past their prime, A. Houck Designs would be honored to help with your bathroom remodeling.